Very best of luck to all of you running in the VLM tomorrow! Is that list of names/race numbers a couple of pages back the definitive one? Isn't there a list with your targets, too (as per tradition)? Jase? Speedy?

I will be sitting in front of the telly watching the Eurosport coverage while following all of you on the website tracker, and throwing in my ha'porth on here.

I'm very sorry I won't be there with all of you. Just hearing that VLM music (however cheesy) makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. I will never forget the sheer excitement of walking into the Expo for the first time, then walking across Blackheath Common to the start, the start itself, and then so many moments along the course to the finish, which will always rate as one of the best moments of my entire life. The times spent in the Chandos with many of you was memorable, too.

Sorry to hear you don't feel it's worth persisting with running after all your injuries, AR, but I hope that with time you change your mind and gently ease your way back into it.

Good luck with your continuing recovery, Gul.

The rest of you seem to be flying and so does the next generation! Well done to everyone today and yesterday in the shorter stuff - really impressive.

I've stayed away from here recently as I didn't want to bring everyone down with my negativity. Basically my recovery from VLM, which itself was a disappointment, has been spectacularly awful. Aches and pains just about everywhere and then Achilles Tendonosis followed by something else followed by my dodgy knee really starting to concern me and even threatening to become life-changing. I now also have either periostitis or shin splints but am taking painkillers and running thhrough it as running is about the only time it doesn't hurt.

I went to the doctor's this week and have started the ball rolling and arranged a series of x-rays as well as a full check-up (blood test etc.).

Meanwhile I am running four or five times and doing 25-30 miles per week. The first five minutes or so are depressingly painful, but then I actually seem to be in decent shape. Hopefully I can keep things ticking over until a) the niggles and pain go away of their own accord or b) medical science sorts me out. (Don't) watch this space.